topic Re: A Letter From My Party in Community Chat

A Letter From My Party

focksie — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:27:46 GMT

For the first time in my life, I was unable to vote on the last Election Day. It was due to an unanticipated reason.

I just received a letter from my pol party stating that "who I vote for is my business" but "if I vote is a matter of public record". It said "many organizations monitor turnout in my neighborhood and are disappointed". It goes on to say "we will be reviewing voting records after the upcoming election to determine whether you joined your neighbors".

WT_??

If this doesn't feel like Big Brother I don't know what does. I'm not 5 years old. I'm quite po'd.

Would you be?

Re: A Letter From My Party

Preds — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:30:33 GMT

Never heard of such a thing. Actually, it's none of their business. I guess they are trying to "motivate" people to get out and vote, but that may backfire on them. Mornin' focksie!

Re: A Letter From My Party

terrier3 — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:30:53 GMT

Voting is a public record.

Which is why you may receive calls next Tuesday up until the last minute, if your party sees that you didn't make to to the polls.

That being said - threatening to publish your lack of participation seems to be counterproductive. It will just tick off the people the party wants to encourage to support them.

Re: A Letter From My Party

Say Nay — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:31:47 GMT

Whether you joined your neighbors? It's none of their da*m business. I would complain.

Re: A Letter From My Party

brii — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:32:35 GMT

Wow.

Re: A Letter From My Party

TaxyLady — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:33:28 GMT

This has been going on since voting began. They have to know who voted and who didn't. That is why you sign your name and given a number. Don't take it so seriously. Your party is just trying to increase voters in the next election. It is not a big deal.

Re: A Letter From My Party

focksie — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:34:15 GMT

Good morning Preds. Yeah, I really don't think it's any of their business and I can see it backfiring. I wrote a little note on the letter which I am sending back to them.

Terrier - I don't mind phone calls, fliers, etc. but this to me crosses the line. I have been singled out with a "bad girl" letter with an implied threat and it doesn't sit well with me. At all.

Re: A Letter From My Party

Say Nay — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:35:02 GMT

Alaska went as far as publishing some names. Again, I would complain.

Re: A Letter From My Party

focksie — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:35:22 GMT

TaxyLady - There is a way to increase votership and motivate voters. This is not it.

Re: A Letter From My Party

brii — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:36:16 GMT

And they wonder why voter turn out is so low...

Re: A Letter From My Party

terrier3 — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:37:22 GMT

On 10/30/2014 focksie said:
Good morning Preds. Yeah, I really don't think it's any of their business and I can see it backfiring. I wrote a little note on the letter which I am sending back to them.

Terrier - I don't mind phone calls, fliers, etc. but this to me crosses the line. I have been singled out with a "bad girl" letter with an implied threat and it doesn't sit well with me. At all.

Your reaction is pretty typical - NO ONE wants to be shamed into voting or feel they are being checked up on.

Calling you and encouraging you to vote has gone on for decades...threatening to send your voting records to your neighbors is new.

It so SO negative...I really wonder who is behind it. It wouldn't be the first time a mailer went out as a "dirty trick."

Re: A Letter From My Party

terrier3 — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:39:53 GMT

My suggestion - check out the return address on the flier.

Is it the real return address of your party headquarters? Or a "fake" address???

Anyone can get the records...you yourself can go down & check on who votes.

It could be sent out by a "shadow group", hoping for backlash & bad publicity.

Re: A Letter From My Party

focksie — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:40:47 GMT

On 10/30/2014 terrier3 said:
On 10/30/2014 focksie said:
Good morning Preds. Yeah, I really don't think it's any of their business and I can see it backfiring. I wrote a little note on the letter which I am sending back to them.

Terrier - I don't mind phone calls, fliers, etc. but this to me crosses the line. I have been singled out with a "bad girl" letter with an implied threat and it doesn't sit well with me. At all.

Your reaction is pretty typical - NO ONE wants to be shamed into voting or feel they are being checked up on.

Calling you and encouraging you to vote has gone on for decades...threatening to send your voting records to your neighbors is new.

It so SO negative...I really wonder who is behind it. It wouldn't be the first time a mailer went out as a "dirty trick."

I don't feel shamed at all and I wouldn't give a RA if my name was published but THEY do not tell me what to do or threaten me.

I think I will call them today as well.

Maybe I'll change parties!

Re: A Letter From My Party

focksie — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:41:51 GMT

On 10/30/2014 terrier3 said:
My suggestion - check out the return address on the flier.

Is it the real return address of your party headquarters? Or a "fake" address???

Anyone can get the records...you yourself can go down & check on who votes.

It could be sent out by a "shadow group", hoping for backlash & bad publicity.

It's a legit formal letter from party Headquarters addressed to me.

Re: A Letter From My Party

Say Nay — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:42:02 GMT

On 10/30/2014 focksie said:
On 10/30/2014 terrier3 said:
On 10/30/2014 focksie said:
Good morning Preds. Yeah, I really don't think it's any of their business and I can see it backfiring. I wrote a little note on the letter which I am sending back to them.

Terrier - I don't mind phone calls, fliers, etc. but this to me crosses the line. I have been singled out with a "bad girl" letter with an implied threat and it doesn't sit well with me. At all.

Your reaction is pretty typical - NO ONE wants to be shamed into voting or feel they are being checked up on.

Calling you and encouraging you to vote has gone on for decades...threatening to send your voting records to your neighbors is new.

It so SO negative...I really wonder who is behind it. It wouldn't be the first time a mailer went out as a "dirty trick."

I don't feel shamed at all and I wouldn't give a RA if my name was published but THEY do not tell me what to do or threaten me.

I think I will call them today as well.

Maybe I'll change parties!

I'd like to be a fly on the wall for that call

Re: A Letter From My Party

terrier3 — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:42:08 GMT

On 10/30/2014 focksie said:
O

I don't feel shamed at all and I wouldn't give a RA if my name was published but THEY do not tell me what to do or threaten me.

I think I will call them today as well.

Maybe I'll change parties!

First check the return address on the mailer...and make sure it is actually party headquarters.

It may well be an empty home that is up for sale...or a fake address.

That has been happening in other areas.

A LOT of dirty trick letters go out right before the election - when it is too late to debunk them. It may say it's from your party = anyone can say that...

Re: A Letter From My Party

brii — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:43:32 GMT

On 10/30/2014 focksie said:
On 10/30/2014 terrier3 said:
On 10/30/2014 focksie said:
Good morning Preds. Yeah, I really don't think it's any of their business and I can see it backfiring. I wrote a little note on the letter which I am sending back to them.

Terrier - I don't mind phone calls, fliers, etc. but this to me crosses the line. I have been singled out with a "bad girl" letter with an implied threat and it doesn't sit well with me. At all.

Your reaction is pretty typical - NO ONE wants to be shamed into voting or feel they are being checked up on.

Calling you and encouraging you to vote has gone on for decades...threatening to send your voting records to your neighbors is new.

It so SO negative...I really wonder who is behind it. It wouldn't be the first time a mailer went out as a "dirty trick."

I don't feel shamed at all and I wouldn't give a RA if my name was published but THEY do not tell me what to do or threaten me.

I think I will call them today as well.

Maybe I'll change parties!

funny

Re: A Letter From My Party

focksie — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:44:00 GMT

On 10/30/2014 terrier3 said:
On 10/30/2014 focksie said:
O

I don't feel shamed at all and I wouldn't give a RA if my name was published but THEY do not tell me what to do or threaten me.

I think I will call them today as well.

Maybe I'll change parties!

First check the return address on the mailer...and make sure it is actually party headquarters.

It may well be an empty home that is up for sale...or a fake address.

That has been happening in other areas.

It is. It's a midtown Manhattan address. I'm north of NYC.

Re: A Letter From My Party

terrier3 — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:46:56 GMT

I just checked this out for you...neither the left or right mailers are coming from parties. They are being generated by independent groups - the one who aren't very regulated in what they can say or do...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/01/political-mailers-social-pressure-_n_2060427.html

Re: A Letter From My Party

focksie — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:48:30 GMT

Thanks for the info terrier. I'm going to call the Party Committee listed at this address today. I'll find out what's going on and report back.